symptom management Archives

Is There a Root Cause for Lichen Sclerosus?

Jan

Is There a Root Cause for Lichen Sclerosus?

Introduction to Root Cause Contributors and Lichen Sclerosus If you’ve ever Googled ‘What is the root cause of lichen sclerosus?’ and walked away more confused than when you started—this video is for you. Today, Heather Cooan and I are addressing a question we hear frequently: Is there a true root cause of lichen sclerosus, or are we actually referring to root cause contributors? We’ll unpack what science currently tells us, what it doesn’t, and why this distinction matters so much for treatment, expectations, and long-term care—without the fear-based or oversimplified explanations you see online. About Heather Heather Cooan is a double-board-certified integrative metabolic oncology nutrition consultant, functional medicine practitioner, transformational coach, and lived-experience mentor. She supports individuals navigating cancer, autoimmunity, and complex chronic illness with evidence-based, trauma-informed strategies rooted in nutrition, lifestyle, nervous system regulation, daily habit change, and environmental design. Informed by her own healing journey—including vulvar cancer, Hashimoto’s,…

Aug

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Video

Pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: With Expert Dr. Kalyani Marathe

Introduction This is the conversation every parent, provider, and advocate needs to hear. Pediatric vulvar lichen sclerosus is a condition that’s often misunderstood, overlooked, or misdiagnosed — but today, we’re breaking it wide open. From understanding how pediatric cases differ from those of adults, to compassionate examination approaches, effective treatments, and adapting care for families in real-world circumstances, you will walk away informed, confident, and empowered. We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Kalyani Marathe, MD, MPH, an absolute leader in pediatric dermatology. Kalyani Marathe, MD, MPH, is a pediatric dermatologist and Division Director of Dermatology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics affiliated with the University of Cincinnati. She has a monthly multidisciplinary vulvar dermatology clinic, co-led by a pediatric gynecologist, Dr. Christine Pennesi. Her academic interests include pediatric vulvar disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, genetic skin disorders, birthmarks, hemangiomas, drug eruptions, and infections…

Aug

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Video

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus and Emollients

Introduction In today's video, we address some frequently asked questions concerning the use of vulvar emollients and vulvar lichen sclerosus. This includes how often to use them, how much product to use, whether you can use them with steroids, and more! Be sure to like this video and subscribe to our channel for more educational LS content. If this video was helpful to you, we’d love your support so we can continue providing important education like this. Make a donation today at https://lssupportnetwork.org/donate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4JQOKHyVJ8 Timestamps For Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus and Emollients: Frequently Asked Questions Addressed 0:00 - Introduction 1:36 - What is an emollient 2:06 - Why are they important to use with vulvar lichen sclerosus 4:41 - Examples 6:43 - How often should you use them 9:22 - Can you use them with your steroid 13:40 - Where to apply them 14:42 - How much should you apply 17:23…

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus and Vulvar Psoriasis

Feb

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus and Vulvar Psoriasis

Introduction Misdiagnoses are, unfortunately, a common part of many of our journeys to getting a proper diagnosis. Some common misdiagnoses that people with lichen sclerosus get are yeast infections, herpes, menopause/GSM, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Part of our strategy in creating a world where folks with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) get diagnosed sooner involves raising awareness about VLS and vulvar health in general. With that, today we will be discussing VLS and vulvar psoriasis. In particular, we will discuss the differences between the two regarding signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Disclaimers *This post is evidence-based; I draw on the medical literature to share what you need to know about lichen sclerosus as well as vulvar psoriasis. Importantly, what I share is my interpretation of the science and data. **If this post is helpful to you, we’d love your support so we can continue providing important education like this. Make a donation…

Feb

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Lichen Sclerosus and Borax

Introduction If you’ve done any kind of search for lichen sclerosus, chances are you came across borax at one point. Whether in a Facebook group, a blog post, or a video, it’s likely you have come across borax. And here’s the thing: borax is incredibly controversial in the LS community. It’s a topic that comes up time and time again, and we at LSSN frequently get asked about borax, whether it’s in our virtual meetups, our membership, or via email. So, we’ve finally decided to address borax and share our stance. *This post was reviewed and approved by LSSN's medical advisory board. What is Borax? Borax is a naturally occurring mineral and salt of boric acid. Its names are 1) sodium tetraborate, 2) disodium tetraborate, or 3) sodium borate. Borax is obviously much easier to spell and pronounce, so many people will simply call it borax. The chemical formula for…

Nov

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Video

Non-Ablative Laser for Lichen Sclerosus

Introduction In our last video, I discussed ablative laser and addressed the question of whether it was an effective treatment for lichen sclerosus. I noted, in that video, that there are different types of laser, so, for today's video, we are going to look at non-ablative laser for lichen sclerosus and whether they are an effective treatment option for LS. Be sure to like this video and subscribe to our channel for more educational LS content. Disclaimer This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your medical provider before making any changes to your health plan. Importantly what I share is my interpretation of the science. If this video was helpful to you, we’d love your support so we can continue providing important education like this. Make a donation today at https://lssupportnetwork.org/donate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noTt0b1imCo Important Links Get my FREE eBook on vulvar lichen sclerosus here Want to…